Hope Chicago Family, Hope is real – and it lives in Chicago. The neighborhoods of our city are full of promise, potential, and gifts. They contain the aspirations of families, our city, and our state. Over the past four years, Hope Scholars and Parent Scholars from our partner high schools have demonstrated that when the amazing gifts of our families intersect with opportunity, hope rises. I am honored to lead the Hope Chicago movement at this moment in our history. I am grateful to all of you, especially our Founding Partners, Board, staff, and my dynamic predecessor, Dr. Janice K. Jackson, for building such an incredible engine of impact in such a short time. My career in higher education has been dedicated to seeing the gifts in others and creating pathways for those gifts to flourish. With its unique whole-school, multigenerational, multi-pathway approach, Hope Chicago is—in my view—a once-in-a-lifetime demonstration of the enormous potential of our neighborhoods to power economic mobility from within. We know that when we invest and remove barriers to opportunities, hope rises. We know that multi-generational educational attainment drives economic mobility for families, and when that is multiplied year after year, for hundreds of families in our communities, it yields economic growth for our neighborhoods. That growth – that hope – fuels our entire state, and everyone wins. I joined Hope Chicago determined
to support families in their pursuit of educational attainment and to help Chicago become a beacon for debt-free, employerlinked, talent-retaining, economy-boosting postsecondary opportunity. This is a crucial moment in our city, our state, and in the history of our country. Our Hope Parents and Hope Scholars are proving what is possible. To build on their momentum, we need a broad coalition of partners, employers, change-makers, and leaders to continue to advance toward what is possible. Having your hands on our 2025 Impact Report means that you are a key part of that community of change-makers. Thank you! Your financial support, your investment in our partner schools and our scholars, your mentorship and networking, and your ideas for what we can accomplish in our city are driving us forward. I can’t wait for what is ahead in this chapter of Hope Chicago’s story, and all that means for our families and our communities! Hope is real - and it lives in Chicago!
With Hope,
Aaron Kuecker, PhD CEO, Hope Chicago
3
Ta b l e o f
CONTENTS
Wh e n We D e l i v e r
OPPORTUNITY
Hope Chicago’s Partner High School Communities
Al Raby School for Community and Environment, East Garfield Park
Benito Juárez Community Academy, Pilsen
Farragut Community Academy, Little Village
Morgan Park High School, Morgan Park
Noble Johnson College Prep, Englewood
Prior to Hope Chicago, University of Chicago researchers estimated that just...
15 out of every 100
9th graders at these high schools in 2021 would complete a postsecondary education within 10 years.
-To&Through Community College Completion Data
6
5
Four years in, Hope Scholars
CHALLENGE ASSUMPTIONS AND RAISE EXPECTATIONS 78% 74%
8
80%
83%
College Enrollment Gains
SHOCK SYSTEM
Hope Chicago’s partner high schools are climbing up the rankings for college enrollment rate among Illinois’ nearly 700 public high schools.
*Projected rankings for the Class of 2025 are based on the most recent available statewide data (2023) from The Illinois State Board of Education’s Report Card Data Library.
Parents
With Scholars
9
PARTNER HIGH SCHOOL SPOTLIGHT
No More Dreams
Deferred at Juárez
Dreams delayed, or never pursued, are a heavy burden on families and whole communities. For many of my 18 years at Benito Juarez Community Academy, the summer after graduation was bittersweet. So many of our graduating families—filled with accomplishment and ready to navigate a first-generation college experience—are confronted by obstacles like cost, access, distance, and a lack of support. Too many end up leaving college acceptance letters on their kitchen tables, opting for safer but ultimately more limiting choices. It happened over and over, and I had neither the answer nor the resources to change this reality. We need opportunities like Hope Chicago in every neighborhood. All students deserve access to options after high school, not just those in certain schools and certain neighborhoods. Yes, there are obstacles, but one thing is for certain: when given the chance, Chicago kids make the most of it. We’re seeing it first-hand at Juárez.
10
We must keep this going— for more families in more communities.
- Principal Juan Carlos Ocon
Enrollment Gains are Greatest for Students in the Academic Middle
-Enrollment statistics for 2019-2024 based on publicly available data via The To&Through Project; 2025 based on Hope Chicago internal data.
11
More South and West Side Students
PERSISTING IN COLLEGE, OUTPERFORMING PEERS
12
1-Year persistence for Al Raby omitted due to small cohort sizes disproportionately impacting school rankings.
Parent Scholars’ 1 -Ye a r P e r s i s t e n c e
FAR EXCEEDS NATIONAL AVERAGE - Hope Scholar persistence data sourced by the To&Through Project. - Parent Scholar persistence reflects National Student Clearinghouse Research Center vs Hope Chicago internal data.
13
Tw o G e n e r a t i o n s RISING TOGETHER By August of 2023, Jamia was frustrated and on the brink of losing her scholarship eligibility. Her first year of college had not gone as planned at a downstate university three hours away from her home on the South Side of Chicago. Her mother,
14
Shaunte, was on the phone weekly with her daughter all through that first year, and she had a pivot plan; come home, reset your educational foundation, and go to school with me at City Colleges of Chicago.
Shaunte, was a Hope Parent Scholar enrolled at Harold Washington College, pursuing her Associate’s Degree in Business. As an adult learner stepping back into the classroom after more than a decade of motherhood, she appreciated the small class sizes and the opportunity to connect with her professors one-on-one in and out of class. Now with her daughter returning to live at home and study alongside her, Shaunte felt even more motivated to succeed.
Together, the semesters flew by until May 2025, when Shaunte walked across the graduation stage at the City Colleges of Chicago commencement ceremony, having earned her Associate’s Degree. It was a moment decades in the making. She has since transferred to National Louis University to pursue a Bachelor’s in Business. Jamia is right behind her on the same 2-to-4-year track. By the end of the Fall 2025 semester, she will have completed her Associate’s Degree at Richard J. Daley College and plans to start at Chicago State University in Spring 2026 to pursue her dream of becoming a defense attorney.
I tried college once, but had to stop in 2011 to handle life. I’ve always wanted to show my children what I can do as a college student, to lead by example, and do better. When Jamia came home, I knew we could do this together.
For Jamia, the transition was exactly what she needed. Motivated by her mother and re-energized by being around family, she was driven to bounce back after a tough first year. She soon enrolled at Richard J. Daley College to pursue an Associate’s Degree in Criminal Justice. “I struggled with being a procrastinator. But seeing my mom go to work overnight and then stay up to do her classwork even as she’s managing the house, taking care of grandma, raising a family… That was my strongest motivation.”
15
I l l i n o i s H a s Ta l e n t OF HOPE SCHOLARS REMAIN IN ILLINOIS FOR COLLEGE
16
1,500+ C h i c a g o l a n d 900+ O u t s i d e o f C h i c a g o l a n d
Having come to Springfield from the higher education space, I’m excited that the state has partnered with Hope Chicago. Their two-generation model to support Illinois families is not only transforming postsecondary outcomes for students today, but helping our universities and policymakers better position our higher education system to sustain and thrive into the future.
Dr. Michael Crawford
llinois State Representative, District 31
I strongly believe in Hope Chicago’s approach to deeply invest in whole school communities, expanding access and opportunity for Illinois families to reach for their fullest potential. Their results to date, and those to come, are not only helping chart a path forward for higher education in Illinois, but they are showcasing the incredible talent and leadership growing from the Southwest Side.
Edgar Gonzalez Jr.
llinois State Representative, District 23
17
140 Program Completions
19
THANK YOU, D r . J a c k s o n Founding CEO 2021-2025
From one devoted parent to another, I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to Dr. Janice Jackson for her dedication and hard work. You are a passionate, visionary leader who has done so much for our communities. As a Hope Chicago Parent Scholar, I truly appreciate everything you do for all Chicago families.
Gabby Melgarejo
Hope Parent Scholar
Dr. Janice Jackson’s visionary leadership has fundamentally advanced educational opportunity throughout Chicago. Through our partnership with Hope Chicago, we have witnessed her steadfast dedication to equity and her conviction that every student deserves not only entry into higher education, but the comprehensive support necessary to excel. As the founding CEO of Hope Chicago and a distinguished alumna of Chicago State University, Dr. Jackson’s enduring influence will continue to shape the success of South and West Side families for years to come.
Zaldwaynaka “Z” Scott
President, Chicago State University
Thank you, Dr. Jackson, for being such an inspiring trailblazer. Your passion, leadership, and unwavering dedication to Hope Chicago continues to motivate us all. We truly appreciate the light you bring and the impact you make everyday.
Anaiah O’Neal
Hope Scholar Graduate, Chicago State University
20
Dr. Jackson’s visionary leadership and unwavering determination have been instrumental to Hope Chicago’s success, driving transformative change in the city’s education landscape not once, but twice. Her enduring legacy is reflected in the lives of thousands of families and the lasting, positive shift she has created across Chicago.
Jason Schultz
Community Engagement & Charitable Giving Manager, ALDI USA
Thank You to Dr. Jackson and Hope Chicago. Just as Instituto has long believed in the power of education to lift entire communities, Hope Chicago is redefining what equity in higher education looks like by including parents alongside their children in this journey. We are so proud to stand together, making generational change possible—one family, one dream, and one future at a time.
Karina Ayala-Bermejo President & CEO Instituto del Progresso Latino
Dr. Jackson’s bold vision and tireless dedication gave life to Hope Chicago and hope to thousands of families. I am deeply grateful for her extraordinary leadership and lasting impact.
Constance “CJ” Jones
Vice Chair, Hope Chicago
21
My father was a big believer that education and hard work were the keys to lifting people up to a better and more fulfilling life. My husband and I wanted to find a way to honor his legacy and discovered the perfect organization to do that with - Hope Chicago! We love the comprehensive approach that supports students and their parents both financially and emotionally to achieve their dreams.
Diana and Bill Atkins
$1 Million+
ALDI Anonymous Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois BMO Crankstart Foundation Coleen & Brian Gelber Kadens Family Foundation Koenig Family Foundation & Monroe Capital McDonald’s Corporation Stephanie Morimoto & Matt King Cari & Michael J. Sacks Tullman Family Office Winston & Strawn LLP Wintrust Financial
$100K up to $1 Million
Anonymous Bears Care Charles C. Cahn Jr. Capital One Chicago Community Trust CME Group Foundation The Crown Family Megan & Max DeZara Alma & Louis Dodd Allan & Denise Edelson Family Foundation Finnegan Family Foundation V. Gastevich Investments Caroline Grossinger The Johnson Family Foundation Kearney Knight Impact Partners Northwestern Memorial Hospital The Joseph Pedott Legacy Fund Protiviti Pamela Roussos & Lee ‘Rosy’ Rosenberg Schreiber Philanthropy Liz Smith & Anthony Chimino Vivo Foundation
$10K up to $100K Susan Abrams Accenture Julie & Carlin Adrianopoli Paul M. Angell Family Foundation Aon Diana & Bill Atkins Lester & Diane Boles Bolhous Foundation Give Forward Foundation Robert C & Deborah K Bridges Foundation Eileen & Jamie Buckley Cass Family Charitable Fund CIBC Bank USA Citadel Cresset Emily & Geoff Curtis Dalesandro/Alfaro Family Deloitte DLA Piper Emerson Electric The Eucalyptus Foundation The Feldman Family Charitable Fund FGMK FTI Consulting Alyse & Mike Gamson Tom Gimbel Graycor The Healey Family Julie & Patrick Hoffmann The Bill Hornell Memorial Fund The Huss Family Irving Harris Foundation Jacob and Jessica Herschend Charitable Fund Emily & Jason Jacob
Jerath Family Foundation Dorothy Jiganti Chardai & Rashod Johnson The Joyce Foundation Sunny & Scott Kapp Wendy Lane Lawson Trust Levenfeld Pearlstein Loop Capital Magellan Development Group Dorri & James McWhorter Mielle Organics Annie & Robby Nathan PayPal Peoples Gas Perkins&Will PNC Kathryn Price & Joe Bronson Pritzker Traubert Foundation Eric A. Reeves & Family Nancy & Michael Reschke Melvin & Monique Rodriguez, Mielle Cares Ilana Rosen & Ben Roach Joel Rosenbacher Jenny & Pete Rosenstein Jennifer & Michael Rothman Sachs Family Foundation Karen & Jon Skinner Robin Steans & Leonard Gail Nancy Straus & Barney Sachs Straus Stryker Timber Hill Group LLC Verizon White & Case LLP Mitch Wilneff
THE WHOLE CITY
is Behind Our Scholars
$1K up to $10K A Better Chicago Abbott Melissa Ackerman Dave Adams, Conduit Security Ruth & Charles Adler Akoya Capital Diane & Tom Allison Philip Alphonse Leslie Anderson-Rutland & Dr. Louis Rutland Anonymous Bonnie & Michael Balkin Dr. Cynthia Barron & Leo Barron Andrea Berdusco L. Harrison Bernbaum Patricia Berntson-Hancey Oliver Bevan Bilow Friedman Family Peter Birnbaum Kate & Andrew Bluestein Christina Boots Mindy & Kyle Brack Bravanti Bridgespan Group Inc Kristi & David Brown Veronica & TJ Brown Buckman Fun Filled Family Foundation Jenny & Tommer Butman Jessica & Brendan Carter Kathleen & Daniel Carver CDW Jennifer & Dr. Roger Chams Cynthia Chereskin Chicago Bulls Charities Maya & Abir Chippa Thomas Chookaszian Vernice & Jason Clark Trelinda Clark Clayco Katie Coleman Austin Collins Comcast Shonta & Duane Connolly Sharon Contreras Tarrah Cooper Wright Tess & Andrew Cross Cynthia Culpepper Sarah Cunningham & Michael Koehne Yasmin Curtis Carl D’Silva Brandi Davis Nicole & Martin Davis Sim Dawson Shaw Decremer Cynthia DeLira-Rendon Dell Technologies Douglas Dirks Marci Dodds & Cody Sokolski Jeremy Dubow Erin Duffy & Brian Rosen Gordon DuGan Julia Eckersley & Ian Morrison Shana & Peter M. Ellis, Reed Smith LLP Lisa Emerick-Iaconetti & Pat Iaconetti Ani & Armen Emrikian Clothilde “Clo” Ewing Exelon
Lisa Schneider Fabes & Brian Fabes Financial Investment Corporation Matthew Flesch Eliza & Dave Fournier Friedman Family Mark Fuller Karen & Mark Furlong GEM Realty Capital Kate & John Gilligan Lizzie & Sonny Ginsberg Gail & Daniel Golden Goldman Sachs Group Emma & Michael Gonda Chancellor Marie Lynn Miranda Nicole Goodman Google Nicole Grabianowski & Julian Einfrank Margaret & Mark Graham Pamela Schoeff-Groth & Gary Groth Haukur Gudmundsson Katie Hanfland Michael Hanfland Yvonne Hao & Mark Wu Cameron & Paris Hardamon Bruce Harmon The Healy Family Charsetta Henderson Margaret Heneghan Lee Hillman Dwight Hilson Laurie & Andrew Hochberg Susan Hojnacki-Lowe Lindsay Housner Megan & Daniel Hugo Illinois Tool Works (ITW) Insperity Ishbia Family Foundation Dr. Janice Jackson & Torrence Price Mia Jackson Constance Ranae Jones Chancellor Robert J. Jones Charity & Rev. John C. Jones JPMorganChase Jamie Kadar & Jon Skaggs Judith & Michael Kadens Emily Kadens & Bruce Markell Devin Kidner Patricia Kingery Heather Korsvik Jenn & John Koutoupis Nicholas Koziak Karen & Liam Krehbiel Greer & Jeremy Kudon Dr. Aaron J. Kuecker Mary Jane & Jeff Kupsky Stephen Lenz, Perkins&Will Taylor Lewis Brian Ligon Lily Endowment Inc. Jewell Loyd Nikki & Michael Lubesnik Lyon Family Foundation James Martin Aracely Martinez Peter Martinez Ann Masur Mayer Brown
*This report reflects all gifts received between July 1, 2024 and June 30, 2025, including payments toward multi-year commitments, for which donors are recognized at the full value of their pledged support.
Lynne & Paul McDonough Richard W. Rupp Foundation McKinsey & Company Saul Ewing Jerry Mickelson Karen Scalise & John Grisolano Russel Miron Nicole & Alex Schneider Anne Marie Mitchell President Zaldwaynaka “Z” Scott & John Bistolfo Jill & Brad Seibert MMA Cares Lauren & Dominic Sergi Mary Moffit Niketa & Nihar Shah Dana & Max Morimoto Jessica & Ruben Sigala Lois Morrison Jody & Ross Silverman Jackie Moss Hanna Skinner Daniel Munro Jessica & Greg Snow-Wasserman Kiersten & Virag Nanavati Song Farley Family National Louis University Donna & Steve Spearman Navitas Capital Jennifer Steans David Newport & James Kastenholz Bruce & Erika Novak Tyler Stephens Foundation STG Divorce Law, P.C. Kimberly & Scribner Missy & Matt Stock Ochsenschlager Michele Tam OKRP & Jason Ramski Linda Olson Erick Tarula Bianca Paiz Leah Taylor Thomas Parker Leonora & Min Teng Dharti Patel & Thomas Anne & Sean Toohey Seagraves Jordan Troy Lynne & Christopher Peckham Taneka Tucker Lindsey Peckinpaugh Jessica & Ryan Turf Molly Peters Jill & Jay Twery Martha & Denis Pierce United Airlines Teresa Poggenpohl John Vaile & Stephen Steiner Vedder Price PSM Partners LLC Robert Von Halle Julian Posada Jill Vorobiev Marcia & Carr Preston Tanesha Wade Abby Reimer Melissa Walsh The Retirement Julie & Larry Wert Research Foundation Caryl West Larry Richman Ryan B. Willis Cindy S. Moelis Lakesha Wilson Hill & Robert S. Rivkin Eric Wittenberg John Robak Anne Marie Wright Betsy & Randy Rochman Aishatu Yusuf Ralonda & Larry Rogers & Tony Emerson-Zetina Randee & Rob Romanoff Diane Zendejas Carolyn & Bennett Rosenthal RSM US Foundation
PayPal supports Hope Chicago because it opens pathways for students and their parents to become tomorrow’s entrepreneurs and small-business owners,” said Jackie Koesters, Senior Director of Product Management and Chicago Site Co-Lead, PayPal. “We’re proud to help power Hope’s momentum in advancing equitable access to the educational opportunities and resources that will help today’s generation become the resilient and innovative leaders of tomorrow.
Jackie Koesters
Senior Director, Product Management, PayPal
LEADERSHIP Board of Directors
Pete Kadens Theodore L. Koenig Melvin Rodriguez Constance Jones Carlin Adrianopoli Leslie J. Anderson Eileen Buckley Max DeZara Tony Emerson-Zetina Sherry Ettleson Aaron Friedman Julie Hoffmann Lynn Jerath Joyce Johnson-Miller Reverand John C. Jones Scott Kapp Peter Martinez Dorri McWhorter Stephanie Morimoto Martin Ozinga Julian Posada Eric A. Reeves Lee “Rosy” Rosenberg Jon Skinner Cardelle Spangler Yolanda White
The Kadens Family Foundation Monroe Capital LLC Mielle Organics Noble Network of Charter Schools FTI Consulting BMO Financial Group Stryker Akoya Capital Crankstart Foundation DRG Talent Consultant JH Philanthropy Citrine Investment Group Pacific Gate Capital HOPE Toledo DLA Piper UIC Urban Education Leadership Program The Executives’ Club of Chicago Asutra Ozinga LiftUp Enterprises Prospect Park LLC Rosenberg Advisory PSP Partners Winston & Strawn Childtime Learning Centers (Parent Representative)
Executive Leadership Advisory Board Pete Kadens Theodore L. Koenig David R. Casper Arne Duncan Richard Edelman Andy Gloor James Reynolds Larry Richman Tom Ricketts Monique Rodriguez Eric M. Smith Ed Wehmer
24
The Kadens Family Foundation Monroe Capital, LLC BMO Financial Group Emerson Collective Edelman Sterling Bay Loop Capital CIBC Bancorp USA, The Chicago Club, and Northwestern Board of Trustees Incapital, LLC, InspereX, and The Chicago Cubs Mielle Organics BMO Commercial Bank Wintrust
Yo u n g P r o f e s s i o n a l s B o a r d Victor Aberdeen, Wilson Elsner Seth Anderson, Kearney Nora Becerra, K&L Gates LLP Deanna Becker, JLL Raven Bryant, Consultant Abir Chippa, PwC Joe Chookaszian, MEMX LLC Elise Cowan, OKRP Cynthia DeLira-Rendon, Code Your Dreams Nicole Dessibourg-Freer, Kearney Jasmine Gibbs, Loop Capital Nicole Grabianowski, Mayer Brown LLP Michael Hanfland, Apogem Capital Kelly Hoppesch, Kelly Hoppesch LLC Emily Jacob, Consultant Jarrett James, RSM US LLP Amanda Johnson, Jones Day Chardai Johnson, BMO Commercial Bank Michael Koehne Jr., Maxim Partners LLC Ashley Kranz, Aon Jordyn Kuhn, RSM US LLP Ty’Nya Larry, Emerson Bridget Lee, Academy for Local Leadership Stephen Lenz, Perkins and Will Taylor Lewis, PayPal Aracely Martinez, Deloitte
Matthew Muckerheide, Guidepost Advisory Julia Murtagh Stengle, Accenture Carla Nguenti, Loop Capital Sharee Onyezia, The College Board Drew Osika, Wintrust Bianca Paiz, The Cristo Rey Network Yolanda Ponce, InUrban Strategies Aleja Ross, EY Jason Schultz, ALDI US Nihar Shah, RME (Rubinos and Mesia Engineers, Inc.) Danny Shapiro, Scofflaw Group Jessica Snow-Wasserman, Capital One Jenny Song, Navitas Capital Maggie Sugrue, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois Douglas Taylor, Transcarent Catie Tootle, Affinitiv Jordan Troy, Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Derek Ward, Gilbane Construction Co. Zach Winder, Transcarent
25
FINANCIALS
R e v e n u e S o u rc e s Since 2021
26
As the Class of 2025 (the largest Hope Scholar cohort to date) stepped onto college campuses this fall, Hope Chicago announced additional investments in its five partner high schools-extending a new promise to families from the Class of 2026.
REAL C h a n g e . REAL O p p o r t u n i t y . REAL O u t c o m e s . A n d w e ’ re j u s t g e t t i n g s t a r t e d . . . 27
hopechicago.org